Grad Profiles highlight the personal and professional stories of Founder Institute Graduates from across the globe.

This profile on Kaliki, a graduate of the San Diego Founder Institute, was written by Emma Tzeng. Founded in 2009 by Bruce Hopkins and Tirrell Payton, Kaliki makes commutes more productive by providing audio news content that can be accessed directly from customers' personal vehicles.

Working America spends a significant chunk of time with its personal vehicles: a study by WNYC found that the average American commutes over 25 minutes to the office everyday. Chances are, a significant percentage of these commuters bide the time by catching up on the news.

San Diego-based startup Kaliki wants to make commutes more productive by providing audio news content that can be accessed directly from customers’ personal vehicles. This way, users can hear from their favorite news sources from the convenience of their own cars.

Founded by Bruce Hopkins and Tirrell Payton in 2009, who both come from technology backgrounds, Kaliki is already making large strides in the industry: earlier this year, the startup sealed a deal with Nissan that makes it possible for Ford Sync AppLink service subscribers to use Kaliki’s app.

To activate the Kaliki app, drivers simply need to ensure that their smartphone is Bluetooth-paired with Ford’s SYNC technology, then press the voice button on the vehicle’s steering wheel to voice-request the app. After Kaliki launches, drivers can select their publication of choice by saying the name of the publication out loud, and the app will play the list of available stories from that source.

Available on Android and iPhone, Kaliki has distribution partnerships with major North American publications such as TV Guide, CBS News, Los Angeles Times, American Public Media, and more. For a more dynamic, engaging listening experience, Kaliki’s stories are narrated by professionals, who essentially “act out” stories instead of simply reading them.

As mobile becomes more intertwined with our everyday habits and lifestyles, Kaliki is positioned to lead the charge, making it easier for customers to integrate their mobile devices into their daily routines in a functional, valuable way.

The Founder Institute is the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, helping aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 50 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 1,563 companies in 5 years. The company's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.